06 ##8 ( 59 @ . @ 0 % ) were in the southern baptist convention , 9 @ , @ 46 ##9 ( 18 @ . @ 6 % ) were with the united methodist church , and 1 @ , @ 87 ##2 ( 3 @ . @ 7 % ) were associated with the catholic church . immigrant jews from germany and eastern europe were influential in commercial development of the city , building businesses and services . congregation beth israel was founded in 1868 , just before the city ' s " golden age . " meridian once had the largest jewish community in the state , with 57 ##5 jewish people living in the city in 1927 . today , fewer than 40
068 ( 59 @. @ 0 % ) were in the southern baptist convention, 9 @, @ 469 ( 18 @. @ 6 % ) were with the united methodist church, and 1 @, @ 872 ( 3 @. @ 7 % ) were associated with the catholic church. immigrant jews from germany and eastern europe were influential in commercial development of the city, building businesses and services. congregation beth israel was founded in 1868, just before the city's " golden age. " meridian once had the largest jewish community in the state, with 575 jewish people living in the city in 1927. today, fewer than 40